Data operation method for terminal including three-piece display units and terminal supporting the same

ABSTRACT

A data operation method for a terminal including three-piece display units and a terminal supporting the same are provided. The terminal including three-piece display units including a first display unit and a second display unit disposed adjacent to each other, a third display unit disposed on an opposite side of the first display unit and the second display unit, a storage unit for storing at least one of a display unit power control mode set value controlling power supplied to at least one of the first display unit, the second display unit, and the third display unit or a data output direction control mode set value used for instructing data to be output, which is generated according to activation of an application program, to at least one of the first display unit, the second display unit, and the third display unit, and a control unit controlling output of data corresponding to at least one application program to at least one display unit activated according to at least one of the display unit power control mode set value or the data output direction control mode set value.

PRIORITY

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) of a Koreanpatent application filed on Feb. 12, 2010 in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office and assigned Serial No. 10-2010-0013295, the entiredisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a terminal. More particularly, thepresent invention relates to an operation method of various applicationprograms through data output in a terminal with three-piece displayunits and a terminal supporting the same.

2. Description of the Related Art

With recent developments in technology for miniaturizing the size of aterminal while maintaining a battery's electric capacity, variousfunctions have been implemented. For example, the terminal has a fileplay function for playing an audio file and a video file that includespreviously stored music for listening thereto. Further, the terminalincludes various additional functions such as a camera function forphotographing still images or a video camera function for tracking andphotographing moving images. Moreover, the terminal provides a functionfor forming a communication channel with a specific terminal located ata near distance, exchanging and controlling data as well as a mobilecommunication function using a base station. In addition, the terminalmay access an Internet to support reading and downloading variousinformation provided from the Internet.

Since a conventional terminal emphasizes portability, it has adisadvantage in that a viewing area of a display unit is very narrow. Toaddress the foregoing disadvantage, various methods increasing theviewing area of the display unit have been suggested. However, an amountof data capable of being output through one display unit is restricted.

Therefore, a need exists for a data operation method of a terminalcapable of solving a size limitation of a display unit and suitablyoutputting data corresponding to an application program.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of the present invention is to address the above mentionedproblems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantagesdescribed below. Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention is toprovide a data operation method for a terminal including three-piecedisplay units and a terminal supporting the same for operating thethree-piece display units and for actively and dynamically performingdata output according to activation of various application programs tomaximize the utility of the terminal.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a data operationmethod for a terminal including three-piece display units is provided.The method includes selecting at least one of setting a display unitpower control mode set value used for controlling power supplied to atleast one of the three-piece display units or setting a data outputdirection control mode set value used for instructing data to be output,which is generated according to activation of an application program, tothe at least one of the three-piece display units, and outputting datagenerated by a currently activated application program to the at leastone of the three-piece display units, according to at least one of thedisplay unit power control mode set value and the data output directioncontrol mode set value.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a terminalincluding three-piece display units is provided. The terminal includesfirst display unit and a second display unit disposed adjacent to eachother, a third display unit disposed at another side of the firstdisplay unit and the second display unit, a storage unit for storing atleast one of a display unit power control mode set value controllingpower supplied to at least one of the first display unit, the seconddisplay unit, and the third display unit or a data output directioncontrol mode set value used for instructing data to be output, which isgenerated according to activation of an application program, to at leastone of the first display unit, the second display unit, and the thirddisplay unit, and a control unit for controlling output of datacorresponding to at least one application program to at least onedisplay unit activated according to at least one of the display unitpower control mode set value or the data output direction control modeset value.

In a data operation method for a terminal including three-piece displayunits and a terminal supporting the same according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention, a user may activate an applicationprogram to be used regardless of an environment capable of using theterminal, and easily confirm and operate data output according to acorresponding application program.

Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the invention willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings,discloses exemplary embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certainexemplary embodiments of the present invention will be more apparentfrom the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A to FIG. 1C are views schematically illustrating a terminalaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a terminalaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a data operation method for aterminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are views illustrating examples of a user interfacefor data operation in a terminal according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating an example of a user interface for dataoperation in a terminal according to a second embodiment of the presentinvention.

Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that like reference numbersare used to depict the same or similar elements, features, andstructures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings isprovided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplaryembodiments of the invention as defined by the claims and theirequivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in thatunderstanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary.Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatvarious changes and modifications of the embodiments described hereincan be made without departing from the scope and spirit of theinvention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions andconstructions may be omitted to for clarity and conciseness.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are notlimited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by theinventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of theinvention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in theart that the following description of exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention is provided for illustration purpose only and not forthe purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claimsand their equivalents.

It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the”include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.Thus, for example, reference to “a component surface” includes referenceto one or more of such surfaces.

FIG. 1A to FIG. 1C are views schematically illustrating a terminalaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 isa block diagram illustrating a configuration of a terminal according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide aterminal as a folder type terminal by way of example. However, theterminal is not limited to a folder type. That is, the terminal may beequally applicable to a slide type terminal and a bar type terminal. Ina case of the slide type terminal, a first display unit and a seconddisplay unit may be provided on the same side surface in a slide openstate. In this case, a third display unit may be disposed at a rearsurface of the first display unit or a rear surface of the seconddisplay unit. Further, in a case of a bar type terminal, a first displayunit and a second display unit may be mechanically divided at a frontsurface thereof. A third display unit may be provided at a rear surfaceof the terminal. In this case, the size of the third display unit issmaller than or equal to that of the first display unit or the seconddisplay unit. Further, the size of the third display unit is smallerthan, equal to, or larger than the size of both the first display unitand the second display unit. Meanwhile, FIG. 1A illustrates a foldertype terminal in which a first display unit and a second display unitare provided on the same plane in a complete open state (i.e., a hingeopen state of 180 degrees). FIG. 1B illustrates a folder type terminalin which a third display unit is disposed at a rear surface thereof in acomplete open state. Moreover, FIG. 1C illustrates an appearance of afolder terminal in a partial open state, namely, a hinge open state of90 degrees.

Referring to FIG. 1A to FIG. 2, a terminal 100 according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention may include a Radio Frequency (RF)unit 110, an input unit 120, an audio processing unit 130, a displaymeans 140 with three-piece display units, a storage unit 150, and acontrol unit 160. Such a construction has only structural elements fordata arrangement and output according to activation of an applicationprogram. However, the present invention is not limited to a terminal 100with only the foregoing structural elements. That is, the terminal 100may further include other structural elements, for example, a cameraunit, a near distance communication unit, and a broadcast receiving unitexcept for the foregoing structural elements. Furthermore, the terminal100 may include at least one of various sensors, for example, ageomagnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor to test an operation state ofthe terminal 100, and may detect an operation state of the terminal 100using the sensors.

The terminal 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention having a construction described above supports output of dataaccording to a specific application program to at least one ofthree-piece display units according to selection of various modes forselectively activating the three-piece display units. Accordingly, auser may easily and conveniently verify data and use data according tovarious application programs supported by the terminal 100 by activatingat least one display unit according to a current environment capable ofoperating the terminal 100. That is, the terminal 100 may vary dataarrangement and output forms of data on the display means 140 accordingto a set composite display operation mode of the display means 140. Inother words, the terminal 100 of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention may activate an application program selected according to aninput signal generated by a user and an application program selectedaccording to set schedule information after a booting operation of theterminal, and determine output of data generated by a correspondingapplication program to which one display unit of the display means 140according to the set composite display operation mode.

Further, the terminal 100 may determine a form of output data, forexample, the size of the data, an output range or direction. Further,the terminal 100 may determine an arranged direction, the size, a rangeof data to be output on the display means 140, and control data to beoutput on the display means 140 according to the determined information.Here, the composite display operation mode may include a display unitpower control mode and a data output direction control mode.

The display unit power control mode may include a standard power displaymode, an entire display mode, a first part display mode, a second partdisplay mode, and a third part display mode. The standard power displaymode is set to output data on only a first display unit 210 and a seconddisplay unit 220. The entire display mode is set to perform specificdata output on all of the first display unit 210, the second displayunit 220, and a third display unit 230. The first part display mode isset to turn-off the first display unit 210 and performs specific dataoutput on the third display unit 230 and the second display unit 230.The second part display mode is set to turn-off the second display unit220 and performs specific data output on the third display unit 230 andthe first display unit 210. The third part display mode is set toturn-off the first display unit 210 and the second display unit 220 andperforms specific data output on only the third display unit 230.

The data output direction control mode may include a standard outputdisplay mode, a first bi-direction display mode, a second bi-directiondisplay mode, and a third bi-direction display mode. The standard outputdisplay mode outputs data on only the first display unit 210 and thesecond display unit 220. The first bi-direction display mode outputsdata to be output on the third display unit 230 as data corresponding todata to be output on the first display unit 210. The second bi-directiondisplay mode outputs data to be output on the third display unit 230 asdata corresponding to data to be output on the second display unit 220.The third bi-direction display mode divides and outputs data to beoutput on the first display unit 210 and the second display unit 220. Auser may set various data outputs to at least one of the three-piecedisplay units according to a combination of the composite displayoperation modes. The structural elements of the terminal 100 will bedescribed in detail below.

The RF unit 110 executes signal transmission and reception functions forRF communication of the terminal 100. To do this, the RF unit 110 mayinclude an RF transmitter up-converting a frequency of a transmittedsignal and amplifying the signal, and an RF receiverlow-noise-amplifying a received signal and down-converting the signal.Further, the RF unit 110 may transfer a signal received through an RFchannel to the control unit 160 and transmit a signal provided from thecontrol unit 160 through the RF channel. More particularly, the RF unit110 may transfer data received from another terminal to a display unitdesignated in a composite display operation mode under the control ofthe control unit 160. In this case, a display unit outputting datareceived through the RF unit 110 may be changed according to a setcomposite display operation mode.

Moreover, when the RF unit 110 is activated under the control of thecontrol unit 160, various data necessary for operation of the RF unit110 may be set to be output on the display means 140. Accordingly, whenthe RF unit 110 is activated, data related to the RF unit 110 may beoutput on at least one of the display units included in the displaymeans 140. For example, when the RF unit 110 is activated, imagesrelated to a call, for example, phone numbers and phone book informationmay be output on at least one of the first display unit 210 and thethird display unit 230. In a case of a video call, picture images may beoutput. Furthermore, according to activation of the RF unit 110, datacontaining images related to a call control may be output on the seconddisplay unit 220. In the meantime, the RF unit 110 may form a datacommunication channel with a web server according to a user request, andreceive specific data, for example, data corresponding to a web pagefrom a corresponding web server. The received data may be output on atleast one of the display units included in the display means 140 underthe control of the control unit 160.

The input unit 120 receives and transfers a user's operation signal forcontrolling a terminal 100 to the control unit 160. To do this, theinput unit 120 includes at least one numeric key and character keys forinputting numeric and character information, and control keys forcontrolling an operation of the terminal 100. More particularly, theinput unit 120 includes keys for generating input signals forrearrangement and conversion of an output form of data to be output onthe display means 140, for a data output switch between display units,and for selection of an application program, and may generate andtransfer a corresponding signal according to a user request to thecontrol unit 160. Moreover, the input unit 120 may include a toggle key,a hot key, or a composite display operation mode selection key forsimply selecting various composite display operation modes. Namely, theinput unit 120 may include a first key map output through a key or atouch screen selecting one of the standard power display mode, theentire display mode, and the first to third part display modes, and asecond key map output through a key or a touch screen selecting one ofthe standard output display mode and the first to third bi-directiondisplay modes. Here, the specific key or the key map output is describedto set the composite display operation mode. However, the presentinvention is not limited thereto. The terminal 100 according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention may output a menu screenfor setting various composite display operation modes.

The audio processing unit 130 may include a Coder/Decoder (CODEC), aSpeaker (SPK) outputting an audio signal decoded based on the CODEC, anda Microphone (MIC) collecting external audio signals. The CODEC mayinclude a data CODEC processing data such as packet data and an audioCODEC processing an audio signal such as voice. Accordingly, the audioprocessing unit 130 converts a digital audio signal received from thecontrol unit 160 into an analog signal by the audio CODEC at the voicecall time of the terminal 100, and plays the analog signal using theSPK. Further, the audio processing unit 130 converts an analog audiosignal input from the MIC into a digital audio signal by the audioCODEC, and provides the digital audio signal to the control unit 160.The audio processing unit 130 according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention may form an audio pass by certain display unitsunder the control of the control unit 160.

In more detail, in a state where specific data are output on the firstdisplay unit 210, the second display unit 220, and the third displayunit 230 according to a user setting or an application program setting,the audio processing unit 130 may form an audio pass for outputting anaudio signal included in data output on the first display unit 210 andthe third display unit 230 or an audio signal included in data output onthe second display unit 220. That is, the audio processing unit 120 mayform an audio pass to adaptively output an audio signal according to aninclusion presence of an audio signal in data to be output on the threedisplay units, variation of data to be output, and previously setinformation.

Referring to FIG. 1A to FIG. 1C, the display means 140 may include twodisplay units outputting data on the same plane according to a presetuser operation, for example, a folder open state, and one display unitlocated at rear sides of the two display units. A flat panel displaysuch as a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) or an Organic Lighted Emit Diode(OLED) is applicable to at least one of the first display unit 210, thesecond display unit 220, and the third display unit 230. In this case,the display unit 150 may include a display panel controller, a memorystoring image data, and a display element. Here, the first display unit210, the second display unit 220, and the third display unit 230 may beimplemented by different display elements, respectively. That is,although the first display unit 210 and the second display unit 220 areimplemented by an LCD type display, the third display unit 230 may beimplemented by an OLED type display. A touch panel may be disposed at anupper side of the foregoing flat panel display. Accordingly, the displaymeans 140 may be manufactured with a touch screen. In this case, thedisplay unit 140 may support functions of an input unit. Accordingly, auser may generate a specific input signal using one of the first displayunit 210, the second display unit 220, and the third display unit 230.The first display unit 210, the second display unit 220, and the thirddisplay unit 230 may determine the presence of data output and performoutput of integration data according to a set composite displayoperation mode.

For example, the display means 140 may output data on the first displayunit 210 and the second display unit 220 according to activation of oneapplication program by dividing an entire screen according to a setcondition at the time of setting the entire display mode and the thirdbi-direction display mode, and output data corresponding to the entirescreen on the third display unit 230. In this case, the size of thethird display unit 230 may be implemented similar to the size of thefirst display unit 210 or the second display unit 220. Accordingly, thethird display unit 230 may have a screen size smaller than that of dataoutput on the first display unit 210 and the second display unit 220 asthe entire screen, and output corresponding data.

Further, when at least two application programs are activated, thedisplay means 140 may separately output data by activated applicationprograms according to a set composite display operation mode. Forexample, the display means 140 outputs data corresponding to a firstapplication program on the first display unit 210 according to settingthe entire display mode and the first bi-direction display mode or thesecond bi-direction display mode, while the display means 140 isoutputting data corresponding to a second application program, datacorresponding to the first application program or data corresponding tothe second application program may be output on the third display unit230. Further, the display means 140 divides a display area of the thirddisplay unit 230 into two areas according to setting the entire displaymode and the third bi-direction display mode, and may output datacorresponding to the first application program and data corresponding tothe second application program on the two divided areas, respectively.Further, the display means 140 may output data on at least one of thefirst display unit 210, the second display unit 220, and the thirddisplay unit 230 according to a display mode set by a user, namely, adisplay unit power control mode for saving power. Setting other variouscomposite display operation modes in the control unit 160 will bedescribed below in more detail.

The storage unit 150 includes a program memory and data memories. Theprogram memory stores a program controlling overall operations of theterminal 100, for example, an operating system, a program initializingrespective constructions of the terminal 100, for example, the RF unit110 and the display means 140, and a program setting otherconstructions, for example, a camera or a broadcasting communicationunit. More particularly, a composite display operation program may bestored in the program memory.

The composite display operation program is a program controllingdirection and a form of data output according to a composite displayoperation mode set by the user, and is loaded in the control unit 160 tosupport the operation of the display means 140. The composite displayoperation program may include a display unit power control routine and adata output direction control routine. The display unit power controlroutine may include a first sub-routine, a second sub-routine, a thirdsub-routine, a fourth sub-routine, and a fifth sub-routine according tosetting a user display mode. In this case, the first sub-routine of thedisplay unit power control routine controls supply of power to only thefirst display unit 210 and the second display unit 220. The secondsub-routine of the display unit power control routine controls supply ofpower to only the first display unit 210 and the third display unit 230.The third sub-routine of the display unit power control routine controlssupply of power to only the second display unit 220 and the thirddisplay unit 230. The fourth sub-routine of the display unit powercontrol routine controls supply to power on only the third display unit230. The fifth sub-routine of the display unit power control routinecontrols supply of power to all of the first display unit 210, thesecond display unit 220, and the third display unit 230. The displayunit power control routine may further include a sub-routine controllingsupply of power to only one of the first display unit 210, the seconddisplay unit 220, and the third display unit 230.

The data output direction control routine may include a firstsub-routine, a second sub-routine, a third sub-routine, a fourthsub-routine, and a fifth sub-routine according to setting the userdisplay mode. In this case, the first sub-routine of the data outputdirection control routine controls data output according to activationof at least one application program on all of the first display unit210, the second display unit 220, and the third display unit 230. Thesecond sub-routine of the data output direction control routine controlsdata output on only the first display unit 210 and the third displayunit 230. The third sub-routine of the data output direction controlroutine controls data output on only the first display unit 210 and thesecond display unit 220. The fourth sub-routine of the data outputdirection control routine controls data output on only the seconddisplay unit 220 and the third display unit 230. The fifth sub-routineof data output direction control routine controls data output on onlyone of the first display unit 210, the second display unit 220, and thethird display unit 230. Here, respective sub-routines verify the displayunit power control routine to control output of data on only currentlyactivated display units.

That is, although a display unit to which data are output is designatedaccording to a composite display operation mode, when a correspondingdisplay unit is turned-off according to a display unit power controlmode, the data output direction control routine may stop the dataoutput. Further, the data output direction control routine may control aform and a display direction of data to be output on each display unitaccording to the number of currently activated application programs. Todo this, the data output direction control routine may include a firstsub-routine controlling change of a data output direction according tothe number of currently activated application programs and a secondsub-routine receiving a sensor signal with respect to a terminaloperation state from a sensor provided in the terminal 100 anddetermining a corresponding data display direction based on the sensorsignal.

The data memory may store data created during execution of applicationprograms, for example, phone book information, contents information, andrecorded or played information. More particularly, the data memoryaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may storeinformation regarding a composite display operation mode set by the userin a table form. Accordingly, the control unit 160 of the terminal 100may verify a composite display operation mode table stored in thestorage unit 150 and a currently designated composite display operationmode to determine which display unit will be turned-on or turned-off andalso may determine which data corresponding to which application programwill be output on the turned-on display unit.

The control unit 160 performs an overall control operation of theterminal 100. Moreover, the control unit 160 of the present inventionmay determine turning-on/off of three-piece display units included inthe display means 140 according to a set composite display operationmode, and control data output according to a corresponding compositedisplay operation mode. Here, the control unit 160 may arrange data froma memory allocated for the data output of the display means 140 to beoutput on the three-piece display units, and control output of thearranged data on corresponding display units. In this case, the controlunit 160 may determine an output presence of respective data arranged inthe memory according to a display unit determined to be turned-on by thedisplay unit power control routine, and control output of data on only aspecific display unit according to the determination.

In more detail, the control unit 160 may verify a current set value of acomposite display operation mode or a set value of a composite displayoperation mode received from the input unit 120 to identify how acurrent composite display operation mode is set. Furthermore, thecontrol unit 160 may control power supply and data output of a displayunit according to the display unit power control mode and the dataoutput direction control mode. For example, when an entire display modeis set, the control unit 160 supplies power to the first to thirddisplay units 210, 220, and 230 to control turning-on thereof. Moreover,a first bi-direction display mode is set as the data output directioncontrol mode, the control unit 160 may control data corresponding to anapplication program output on the first display unit 210 to be equallyoutput on the third display unit 230. When the entire display mode andthe second bi-direction display mode are set, the control unit 160 maycontrol data to be output on the second display unit 220 to be equallyoutput on the third display unit 230. When the entire display mode andthe third bi-direction display mode are set, the control unit 160 mayoutput data to be output on the first display unit 210 and the seconddisplay unit 220 on the third display unit 230.

In the meantime, when a first part display mode is set, the control unit160 may turn-off the first display unit 210 and control output of datato be output on a corresponding display unit designated according to thedata output direction control mode on the first display 210 and thethird display unit 230 which are currently turned-on, respectively. Forexample, when the first part display mode and the first bi-directiondisplay mode are set, the control unit 160 may supply power to thesecond display unit 220 and the third display unit 230 and control dataset to be output on the first display unit 210 to not be output on thefirst display unit 210, but to be output on only the third display unit230. In addition, when the first part display mode and the secondbi-direction display mode are set, the control unit 160 may supply powerto the first display unit 210 and the third display unit 230, and setdata to be output on the second display unit 220 not to be output on thesecond display unit 220 and to be output on only the third display unit230.

When an input signal with respect to a set variation of a compositedisplay operation mode is generated through the input unit 120 or a menuin a state that a specific display unit is turned-on and specific dataare output, the control unit 160 may determine a display unit to beturned-on and a display unit outputting data according to setting acorresponding composite display operation mode, and perform powercontrol of a display unit and data output direction control according tothe determined result. Further, the terminal 100 may test an operationstate of the terminal 100 using a sensor and control a direction of datato be output on respective display units. For example, while theterminal 100 outputs data to be output on the first display unit 210 andthe second display unit 220 to a screen division area of the thirddisplay unit 230 divided into a preset direction mode, for example, atraverse mode, when an operation state is changed, it may divide ascreen to a vertical mode and control data to be output on the firstdisplay unit 210 and the second display unit 220 to be output on thedivided screen. In this case, when data activated by one applicationprogram are divided into the first display unit 210 and the seconddisplay unit 220 to be output on an entire screen, the terminal 100 maycontrol the third display unit 230 to display the data activated by theone application program on the entire screen.

As described above, the terminal 100 according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention may easily change power supplycontrol of three-piece display units and output direction control ofdata to be output on the three-piece display units according to settingthe composite display operation mode by a user.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a data operation method of a terminalaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, in the data operation method for the terminal 100,when power is supplied to the terminal 100, it may perform a bootingoperation using supplied power at step 301. When the booting operationis achieved, a control unit 160 of the terminal 100 may determinewhether a composite display operation mode is set at step 303. If it isdetermined that the composite display operation mode is not set, thecontrol unit 160 of the terminal 100 may control to perform a defaultset display operation mode, for example to supply terminal power to onlya third display unit 230, to activate functions of the terminal 100, forexample, a file play function, a file searching function, a web accessfunction, and a call function, and to output data generated from anactivated application program on the third display unit 230 at step 305.Here, the operation of the third display unit 230 does not depend onsetting a composite display operation mode but depends on a default setvalue, and the third display unit 230 may be substituted by anotherdisplay unit according to a designer's intention or a user's setting.

In the meantime, when the composite display operation mode is set atstep 303, the control unit 160 may verify a display mode value of theset composite display operation mode and control data output and powersupply of the first to third display units at step 307. In more detail,the control unit 160 may verify a display unit power control mode valueto recognize which one of the first to third display units 210, 220, and230 is set to turned-on in the currently set composite display operationmode. Further, the control unit 160 may control power supply of acorresponding display unit by verifying the display unit power controlmode.

Meanwhile, the control unit 160 may control activation of an applicationprogram selected according to set schedule information after the bootingoperation, for example, an idle screen output program or a menu (i.e., awidget) output program. Moreover, the control unit 160 may verify a dataoutput direction control mode value of the composite display operationmode to determine whether to output a screen generated by theapplication program, for example, an idle screen and a menu screen toone of the display units. For example, when the first part display modeand the first bi-direction display mode are set, the control unit 160may control supply of power to the second display unit 220 and the thirddisplay unit 230, output a menu screen on the second display unit 220,and output an idle screen on the third display unit 230.

Further, when an input signal for changing the composite displayoperation mode, for example, an input signal for changing a first partdisplay mode to an entire display mode is generated, the control unit160 may control additional supply of power to the first display unit 210and output of the idle screen on the first display unit 210. When aninput signal for changing the composite display operation mode, forexample, an input for changing the first bi-direction display mode tothe third bi-direction display mode is additionally generated, thecontrol unit 160 may control output of an idle screen on the firstdisplay unit 210, output of an idle screen on the second display unit220, and output of a division screen of the idle screen and the menuscreen on the third display unit 230. Here, the control unit 160receives one web page from a web server according to activation of anaccess web function. When the web page is set to be output on an entirescreen of the first display unit 210 and the second display unit 220,the control unit 160 may divide a screen of the web page to output aportion of the web page on the first display unit 210 and a remainingportion of the web page on the second display unit 220. Further, thecontrol unit 160 may control output of a screen corresponding to one webpage on the third display unit 230.

In the meantime, the control unit 160 may store a composite displayoperation mode value according to a user request. Upon rebooting of theterminal 100, a corresponding stored value is applied as a default valueto be used as a reference value to determine selective power supply ofdisplay units and an output direction of specific data. To set thecomposite display operation mode, the terminal 100 may provide a screeninterface including at least one of a specific icon, image, or textcorresponding to each display mode through a specific screen to help auser easily recognize the display mode, which display unit is turned-onand in which manner, and which data are output. To do this, the terminal100 may provide a user interface for setting the composite displayoperation mode. The user interface may be output on at least one of thefirst to third display units 210, 220, and 230 according to the usersetting.

When a specific input is generated, the control unit 160 may determinewhether a generated input signal is an input signal for changing ageneral display operation mode at step 309. If it is determined that thegenerated input signal is an input signal for changing a general displayoperation mode, the control unit 160 may control to provide a functionof the terminal 100 according to a default set display mode at step 305.

In contrast, if it is determined that the generated input signal is notthe input signal for changing a general display operation mode at step309, the control unit 160 determines whether a corresponding inputsignal is an input signal for termination at step 311. When the inputsignal is not the input signal for termination, the control unit 160 mayreturn to step 307 and control execution of a currently set compositedisplay operation mode and a terminal function support based on acurrently generated input signal.

A display control method of a terminal with three-piece display unitsand a construction and a function of a terminal supporting the same aredescribed above. An example of a user interface based on the abovedescribed method and the terminal will be described below.

FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are views illustrating examples of a user interfacefor data operation in a terminal according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, when a user supplies power to theterminal 100, and a booting operation is achieved, the terminal mayactivate a specific application program, for example, a memo creationprogram. In this case, the user may set a composite display operationmode with an entire display mode and a first bi-direction display mode.Namely, the user may select a mode controlling supply of power to thefirst to third display units 210, 220, and 230 during operation of theterminal, and a mode controlling output of the same data on the firstdisplay unit 210 and the third display unit 230 at the time of dataoutput.

When a memo creation program is selected and an input signal foractivation is generated, as illustrated in FIG. 4A, the terminal 100controls output of a memo creation window on the first display unit 210and output of a user interface for input function for memo creation, forexample, a QWERTY key pad on the second display unit 220. In thisprocedure, the terminal 100 may interrupt power supply of a touch panelprovided at the first display unit 210 and disregard a touch eventgenerated from the touch panel. Further, the terminal 100 may set atouch panel for operating a QWERTY key pad on the second display unit220.

In the meantime, the terminal 100 verifies a composite display modevalue to control output of a memo creation window to be output on thefirst display unit 210 on the third display unit 230 as illustrated inFIG. 4B. To do this, the terminal 100 divides a memory area allocated tothe display means 140 corresponding to the first to third display units210, 220, and 230, and arranges data to be output on each display unitat the divided memory areas. By outputting the same data to the firstdisplay unit 210 and the third display unit 230 according to a firstbi-direction mode set at the composite display operation mode value, theterminal 100 may divide an allocated memory area for the display means140 into a memory area for the second display unit 200 and a commonmemory area for the first display unit 210 and the third display unit230.

A corresponding text is illustrated in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B to besimultaneously output on the first display unit 210 and the thirddisplay unit 230 when a user inputs “The current agenda is” using aQWERTY key pad output on the second display unit 220. When a userreceives a specific character using the second display unit 200, theterminal 100 may write a corresponding character in a common memoryarea, and output a character written in the common memory area on thefirst display unit 210 and the third display unit 230, respectively.

As described above, the terminal 100 sets a common memory area for thefirst display unit 210 and the third display unit 230 and outputs data.However, when the sizes of the first display unit 210 and the thirddisplay unit 230 differ from each other, memory areas divided forcorresponding display units may be defined on a memory area allocated onthe display means 140. Moreover, when the terminal allocates a memoryarea for only the first display unit 210, and outputs data written inthe first display unit 210 on the third display unit 230, it performsresizing of corresponding data by referring information related todisplay unit characteristics of the third display unit 230 and outputsthe resized data on the third display unit 230. Characteristics of thedisplay unit include collected information related to a correspondingdisplay unit while initializing during booting of the terminal 100.

As described above, a data operation method for a terminal includingthree-piece display units and an apparatus thereof may output data byactivation of a specific application program according to a setcomposite display operation mode in various manners. Accordingly, a userverifies data through operation of the second display unit 220 by thefirst display unit 210 and outputs the checked data on the third displayunit 230 such that another user may easily and rapidly confirmcorresponding data.

FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are views illustrating an example of a userinterface for data operation in a terminal according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

In an exemplary implementation, a user supplies power to a terminal 100to activate a game application program by way of example.

Referring to FIG. 5A, to support a game application program selected bya user, the terminal 100 may control the first display unit 210 tooutput an execution screen necessary for the game application program,and the second display unit 220 to output a control key map screen forplaying the game. In this case, the terminal 100 may control operationof the control key map for setting a touch panel of the second displayunit 220.

Referring to FIG. 5B, the terminal 100 may divide a screen of the thirddisplay unit 230 to simultaneously output an execution screen output ofthe first display unit 210 and a control key map screen on the seconddisplay unit 220, and simultaneously outputs a corresponding executionscreen and the control key map screen on the divided screen. In thisprocedure, the terminal 100 may interrupt power supply to a touch paneldisposed on the third display unit 230 and control a touch eventgenerated on the touch panel to be invalid according to user setting.Further, the terminal 100 may set an output area of a control key mapcorresponding to the second display unit 220 among touch panel areasdisposed on the third display unit 230 according to a user setting inwhich a touch event through a control key map is generated. Accordingly,the user using the third display unit 230 may generate a specific touchevent using an output area of a control key map. Furthermore, theterminal 100 may perform resizing of data to be output on each displayunit in order to output data to be output on the first display unit 210and the second display unit 220 to the third display unit 230, andoutputs the resized data on the third display unit 230. Accordingly, theuser using the third display unit 230 may verify which scheme for usingthe first display unit 210 operates a control key map on the seconddisplay unit 220.

Meanwhile, data to be output on at least one of the first display unit210 and the second display unit 220 are output on the third display unit230 are described above. However, the present invention is not limitedthereto. That is, the terminal 100 may output a portion of data to beoutput on the first display unit 210 and a portion of data to be outputon the second display unit 220 on the third display unit 230 accordingto the user setting. For example, assuming that various menu items andspecific texts are output on the first display unit 210, the terminal100 may output only a specific text to be output on the first displayunit 210 to the third display unit 230. To do this, the terminal 100 mayset a portion of the data output area of the first display unit 210 tobe output on the third display unit 230, and allows a user to set thedata portion output area.

The user interface has been described based on data output with respectto a memo creation program and a game application program. However, thepresent invention is not limited thereto. For example, the terminal 100according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention maycontrol the first display unit 210 and the third display unit 230 tooutput screens collected by a camera at the time of generating an inputsignal for activating a camera function, and control the second displayunit 220 to output a control key map for controlling a camera.Accordingly, a user photographed by the camera can easily and rapidlyrecognize what scheme operates the camera for photographs. Furthermore,the terminal 100 may control the first display unit 210 and the thirddisplay unit 230 to output broadcasting signals collected through aspecific channel at the time of generating an input signal foractivation of a broadcasting receiving function, and controls the seconddisplay unit 220 to output a key map for selecting a channel. In thiscase, the terminal 100 may drive a channel and channel change output onthe third display unit 230 independently of the first display unit 210according to presence of support of the terminal 100 and the usersetting. To do this, the terminal 100 may provide a function capable ofbuffering a plurality of channels. Accordingly, multiple users may watchtheir desired channels through respective display units, respectively.

The user interface has been described such that a composite displayoperation mode is set to be divided into a display unit power controlmode and a data output direction control mode by way of example.However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Namely, theterminal 100 may provide a specific mode composed of one set of thedisplay unit power control mode and the data output direction controlmode. For example, the terminal 100 may define an entire display mode asa mode supplying power to all of the first to third display units 210,220, and 230 and equally outputting data to be output on the firstdisplay unit 210 to the third display unit 230, and provide acorresponding display mode. Furthermore, the terminal 100 may define anentire display mode as a mode supplying power to all of the first tothird display units 210, 220, and 230 and outputting data to be outputon the first display unit 210 and the second display unit 220 to thethird display unit 230.

As illustrated above, the terminal 100 may control the user to set acomposite display operation mode of a combination of first variousdisplay modes with the display unit power control mode and secondvarious display modes with the data output direction control mode. Inthis case, as described above, the terminal 100 may support a modechange through a specific key of the input unit 120, an icon output formode change on the touch screen and a specific mode change according toselection. Moreover, the terminal 100 may provide user interface towhich various information for setting a display mode is provided, suchthat a user may easily recognize information with respect to displaypower supply and data output direction according to each mode. Asdescribed above, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention maysupport to interrupt power supply of the specific display unit accordingto selection of a composite display operation mode to save power.

As described above, the terminal 100 may further constructions such as anear distance communication module for near distance communication in aprovided form, a camera module photographing still/moving images of asubject, an interface for data transmission/reception due to a wiredcommunication scheme or a wireless communication scheme of the terminal100, an Internet communication module executing an Internet functioncommunicating with an Internet, digital broadcasting module executingdigital broadcasting reception and play functions. Since the structuralelements may be variously modified according to a convergence trend of adigital device, all elements cannot be described. Structural elementsequivalent to the foregoing structural elements may be included in theportable terminal 100 according to the present invention. Further, theterminal 100 may be substituted by specific constructions in theforegoing arrangements according to the provided form or anotherstructure, which can be easily understood by those skilled in thepresent art.

In addition, the terminal 100 with a display means including thethree-piece display units according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention may provide a communication service according tovarious communication schemes. For example, the portable terminal may beapplicable to all kinds of information and communication devices andmulti-media devices such as a Portable Multimedia Player (PMP), aPersonal Digital Assistant (PDA), a smart phone, a Moving PictureExperts Group (MPEG)-1 or MPEG-2 Audio Layer 3 (MP3) player, a portablegame terminal, a wired telephone and a wireless telephone, a SmartPhone, and the like, and applications thereof as well as all mobilecommunication terminals operating based on communication protocolscorresponding to various communication systems.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference tocertain exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention as defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A data operation method for a foldable terminalincluding three-piece display units, a first display unit and a seconddisplay unit are placed on an inner surface of the terminal and a thirddisplay unit is placed on an outer surface of the terminal, the methodcomprising: selecting at least one of setting a display unit powercontrol mode used for controlling power supplied to at least one of thethree-piece display units and setting a data output direction controlmode used for instructing data to be output, which is generatedaccording to activation of an application program, to the at least oneof the three-piece display units; and outputting the data generated bythe activated application program to the at least one of the three-piecedisplay units, according to at least one of the display unit powercontrol mode and the data output direction control mode, wherein theoutputting of the data generated by the activated application programcomprises: outputting, according to at least one of the display unitpower control mode and the data output direction control mode, a windowincluding a user interface for receiving user input to the seconddisplay unit, and a window including an output corresponding to thereceived user input to at least one of the first and third displayunits; and outputting, according to at least one of the display unitpower control mode and the data output direction control mode, a windowincluding a divided portion of the data generated by the activatedapplication program to the first display unit, and a window includingremaining divided portion of the data generated by the activatedapplication program to the second display unit.
 2. The method of claim1, wherein the selecting of at least one of setting the display unitpower control mode and setting the data output direction control modecomprises at least one of: setting an entire display mode in which poweris controlled to be supplied to all the three-piece display units, in astate where the first display unit and the second display unit of thethree-piece display units are disposed adjacent to each other, and thethird display unit is disposed on an opposite side of one of the firstdisplay unit and the second display unit; setting a first part displaymode in which a supply of power to the first display unit is interruptedand power is supplied to the second display unit and the third displayunit; setting a second part display mode in which a supply of power tothe second display unit is interrupted and power is supplied to thefirst display unit and the third display unit; setting a third partdisplay mode in which a supply of power to the first display unit andthe second display unit is interrupted and power is supplied to thethird display unit; and setting a standard power display mode in whichpower is supplied to only the first display unit and the second displayunit.
 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising: generating an inputsignal for changing the display unit power control mode; changing thedisplay unit power control mode according to the input signal; and atleast one of turning-on and turning-off a display unit designatedaccording to the changed display unit power control mode.
 4. The methodof claim 1, wherein the selecting of at least one of setting the displayunit power control mode and setting the data output direction controlmode comprises at least one of: setting a standard output display modein which data is controlled to be output to only the first display unitand the second display unit in a state where the first display unit andthe second display unit of the three-piece display units are disposedadjacent to each other, and the third display unit is disposed on anopposite side of one of the first display unit and the second displayunit; setting a first bi-direction display mode in which the same datato be output on the first display unit is output on to the third displayunit; setting a second bi-direction display mode in which the same datato be output on the second display unit is output on the third displayunit; and setting a third bi-direction display mode in which the samedata to be output on the first display unit and the second display unitis output on the third display unit.
 5. The method of claim 4, furthercomprising: generating an input signal for changing the data outputdirection control mode; changing the data output direction control modeaccording to the input signal; and controlling output of data to adisplay unit designated in the changed data output direction controlmode.
 6. The method of claim 4, further comprising outputting dataaccording to setting the third bi-direction display mode, wherein theoutputting of the data comprises dividing a screen of the third displayunit, and dividing and outputting data to be output on the first displayunit and data to be output on the second display unit on the respectivedivided screens.
 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising detectingan operation state of the terminal, wherein the outputting of the datacomprises changing and outputting an output direction of the data to beoutput on the third display unit to at least one of a transverse modeand a longitudinal mode according to the operation state of theterminal.
 8. The method of claim 4, further comprising outputting dataaccording to setting the third bi-direction display mode, wherein theoutputting of the data comprises outputting data generated according toactivation of one application program to the first display unit and thesecond display unit with an entire screen, and outputting the data tothe third display unit.
 9. A foldable terminal including three-piecedisplay units, the terminal comprising: a first display unit and asecond display unit disposed adjacent to each other on an inner surfaceof the terminal; a third display unit disposed on an outer surface ofthe terminal; a storage unit configured to store at least one of adisplay unit power control mode controlling power supplied to at leastone of the first display unit, the second display unit, and the thirddisplay unit and a data output direction control mode used forinstructing data to be output, which is generated according toactivation of an application program, to at least one of the firstdisplay unit, the second display unit, and the third display unit; acontrol unit configured to control outputting of the data generated bythe activated application program to at least one display unit,according to at least one of the display unit power control mode and thedata output direction control mode; and at least one of an input unitand a touch screen for receiving an input, wherein the outputting of thedata generated by the activated application program comprises:outputting, according to the at least one of the display unit powercontrol mode and the data output direction control mode, a windowincluding a user interface for receiving a user input to the seconddisplay unit, and a window including an output corresponding to thereceived user input to at least one of the first display unit and thethird display unit; and outputting, according to the at least one of thedisplay unit power control mode and the data output direction controlmode, a window including a divided portion of the data generated by theactivated application program to the first display unit, and a windowincluding remaining divided portion of the data generated by theactivated application program to the second display unit.
 10. Theterminal of claim 9, wherein the display unit power control modecomprises at least one: an entire display mode in which power iscontrolled to be supplied to all the three-piece display units; a firstpart display mode in which a supply of power to the first display unitis interrupted and power is supplied to the second display unit and thethird display unit; a second part display mode in which a supply ofpower to the second display unit is interrupted and power is supplied tothe first display unit and the third display unit; a third part displaymode in which a supply of power to the first display unit and the seconddisplay unit is interrupted and power is supplied to the third displayunit; and a standard power display mode in which power is supplied toonly the first display unit and the second display unit.
 11. Theterminal of claim 10, further comprising at least one of an input unitand a touch screen generating an input signal for changing the displayunit power control mode, wherein the control unit controls changing thedisplay unit power control mode according to the input signal, and atleast one of turning-on and turning-off a display unit designatedaccording to the changed display unit power control mode.
 12. Theterminal of claim 9, wherein the data output direction control modecomprises at least one: a standard output display mode in which data iscontrolled to be output to only the first display unit and the seconddisplay unit; a first bi-direction display mode outputting the same dataas that to be output on the first display unit to the third displayunit; a second bi-direction display mode in which the same data to beoutput on the second display unit is output on the third display unit;and a third bi-direction display mode in which the same data to beoutput on the first display unit and the second display unit is outputon the third display unit.
 13. The terminal of claim 12, furthercomprising at least one of an input unit and a touch screen forgenerating an input signal for changing the data output directioncontrol mode, wherein the control unit controls changing the data outputdirection control mode according to the input signal, and output of datato a display unit designated in the changed data output directioncontrol mode.
 14. The terminal of claim 12, wherein the control unitdivides a screen of the third display unit, and divides and outputs datato be output on the first display unit and data to be output on thesecond display unit on the respective divided screens.
 15. The terminalof claim 14, comprising a sensor for detecting an operation state of theterminal, wherein the control unit changes and outputs an outputdirection of the data to be output on the third display unit to at leastone of a transverse mode and a longitudinal mode according to theoperation state of the terminal.
 16. The terminal of claim 12, whereinthe control unit outputs data generated according to activation of oneapplication program to an entire screen of the third display unit whenthe third bi-direction display mode is set and the data are output tothe first display unit and the second display unit with an entirescreen.